Singapore and the US Strengthen Defence Relations Through Strategic Security Policy Dialogue

Permanent Secretary for Defence Mr Chan Yeng Kit (left) co-chairing the 9th Strategic Security Policy Dialogue with Under Secretary of Defense for Policy John Rood (right) in the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy of US Department of Defense (Technical Sgt. Vernon Young)

Permanent Secretary for Defence Mr Chan Yeng Kit and United States (US) Under Secretary of Defense for Policy John Rood co-chaired the 9th Singapore-US Strategic Security Policy Dialogue (SSPD) today (US time) at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.. The dialogue, first established in 2006, is the highest-level institutionalised security platform between both countries' defence establishments. Notably, this was the first SSPD that Mr Chan co-chaired with Under Secretary Rood, who assumed his appointment in January 2018.

At the SSPD, Mr Chan and Under Secretary Rood discussed the next bound for the long-standing bilateral defence relationship, and exchanged views on various regional security developments, including the US' approach to engaging Asia-Pacific countries. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of keeping the regional security architecture open and inclusive. As 2018 marks Singapore's ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) Chairmanship, both countries also reiterated the significance of the ADMM-Plus in promoting trust and practical cooperation among partner countries.  

In addition to high-level touchpoints like the SSPD, Singapore and the US maintain regular interactions, including at the military-level and in defence technology. Both militaries train together regularly and the SAF participates in US-led coalition operations, such as the Defeat-ISIS Coalition. There has also been substantive defence technology cooperation, including in research and development.

Mr Chan, who is in Washington, D.C. from 18 April to 20 April (US time), also met with Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer and Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Tina Kaidanow.

Mr Chan (right) and Under Secretary Rood (left) meeting at the Pentagon. Photo courtesy of US Department of Defense (Technical Sgt. Vernon Young)